Hard to Get: The Luck of the Irish and the Four Leaf Clover

"They are real," insisted Patrick, an eight year old, searching for a four leaf clover in the pasture, just before school started. "They are hard to get, at times."

Missy, his seven year old sister, sat on the grass beside him. "There is a lot of clover here, so if there is one with four leaves, I will find it."

"Or I will."

Clover normally had three leaves, but occasionally, one could find a four leaf clover.

"We really need to find one for Grandma," Missy said. "She has been so sad since Grandpa passed away. I know a four leaf clover would remind her of him, and she would be happy again."

Just then, the school bell rang. The two children quickly grabbed their books and headed for their one room school.

"What are our chances of finding a four leaf clover?" Patrick asked their teacher, Miss O'Leary. 

"Pretty slim, I expect," she replied, with a warm smile. "What you need is the luck of the Irish."

At recess, Patrick and Missy invited several of their friends to help them look for a four leaf clover. After lunch, they did the same thing. Everyone was concerned about the children's grandmother, who they all loved dearly.

That afternoon, the children were invited to help out in the school library. Their story books needed to be dusted, and then had to be placed on a new set of shelves, where they could reach them more easily. It was a tedious task, but the children all helped out willingly. Looking at story books was fun for them, and their teacher hoped that it would stimulate their interest in reading.

Just as they were finishing the job, Patrick found an old, story book their teacher agreed to let him read at his desk. He quickly read the first story, and then was amazed to find a very old, dried and pressed, four leaf clover nestled in the cover page for the second story, which was entitled, "The luck of the Irish".

He decided not to say anything to anyone. 

His teacher was delighted that he was excited about reading it, and gave him permission to take the book home for the weekend.

"Missy," Patrick said to his younger sister, as they walked home together. "I have 'The luck of the Irish'..."